When You Were My Mate (Demetra and Emris) novel Chapter 39

Chapter 39

Demetra.

Contd

How the hell does he know that!?

“W-”

“And don’t even think about lying to me.” Slade points at me like I’m a misbehaving child.

“He’s a client.” I exhale.

“WHAT!?” Slade and my aunts shout the exact same word at the exact same time.

“Remember how he was at my first art showing? Turns out Emris is an art collector and has been for years. He buys everything I create. When Lolly sent out the commercial project announcements, he signed up immediately. In fact, he’s was first candidate. Lolly was the one handling everything because I was busy settling here, leaving Paris, all the chaos attached to that.” I explain it as clearly as I can, and my heart is literally pounding because my first thought was that Slade saw something…else

No one in this house knows Emris was here last night. And I need to keep it that way.

“Wait… how do you know he came to Metra Arts?”

“Because-”

“Because you’re following me? Don’t tell me you have gammas on my tail-”

“That’s exactly what I have. And it’s not just you. I have gammas on little Amira at school, on this pack house, on every member of this family who leaves for one thing or another. Let the remind you that I put Emris through hell at the Alpha Fest. I know him. He likes revenge. So I’m going to avoid that.” Sade’s explanation makes sense, and I breathe a little easier.

“Now. Break. The fucking. Contract.”

“It’s not that simple.” I roll my eyes.

“Why? Money?”

“It’s business, Slade. Can you just-”

“Wait. Why do you seem so chill about this?” Slade squints at me

“Am I supposed to be afraid? Would you prefer I come running you and Dad every time I see Emris or his family? He’s my ex-”

“As long as he hasn’t rejected you, it’s not safe to be in the same space with him. The bond is still alive. You and him could have se… Slade stops himself, but I swear whatever he was about to say has already happened. Twice.

I pray my face isn’t turning red.

“You know what I mean.” He whispers it like a warning.

“I’m handling it.” I raise my hands, desperate to end this conversation. Please, please let him drop it.

“Wait. What does the commercial project entail?” Rachel asks, and I bite my lip before answering. Slade is already furious. Is he going to lose his mind completely before I even say it?

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16:57 Sat, Apr

Chapter 39

“It’s um… well-”

Slade cranes his neck toward me like a vulture, demanding I spil it immediately.

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“So…. I’ll be doing ten paintings for each client.” I take another bath. “In their homes. They get to watch me paint. I study the structure of their house since they’re home paintings, and Iustomize based on the

scenery i

South I

homes overlook”

Slade slaps his hand over his forehead like he’s losing his mind. xpected. Aunt Scotty’s open.

“The enemy’s Derisha,

Rachel’s voice pitches higher.

“If at any point they act violently toward me or the cue becomes a

24 en leefster, Vega, auf everyone who ates you are literally prect ends immediately.

the

“Oh, so we’re supposed to wait until they do something to you? that what you’re saying? Are you insane, Demetra?”

“Okay, that’s enough, Slade!” Rachel steps in.

“No, it’s not enough. He promised to hurt her before four years ago. It’s like she’s forgotten. It could be the mate bond…her wolf making her feel comfortable with this. But that’s exactly why we’re here, to remind Demetra that he already rejected her. Emris humiliated her. Imagine if we weren’t here.” Slade turns to me, voice cracking with frustration. “What would have happened to you?”

“Thank you for reminding me that I wouldn’t have survived with but you.” I give him a shaky smile that’s threatening to crumble into tears.

*******

“Daddy. Daddy. DADDY!”

I scrub a hand over my face and point at the glasses of whisper s the housekeeper can take them away before my son burst. in here.

I had been drinking in silence but now I straighten my face into something resembling a father instead of a man drowning in his own miserable thoughts. Ever since Demetra told me what she told me, I’ve been pouring my misery down my throat. It’s not working. She’s heartless. She’s not the same Demetra I remember. The way she talked about me…the Demetra in my memories would never do that. Her words were always sweet, careful, like she was afraid of breaking something between us. This one? This one took pleasure in breaking me.

“Daddy!” Milo jumps in front of me and I lift him easily, pulling him into my chest from where I sit.

“How’s my strong boy, hmm?”

“Fine, Daddy!” He hugs me for half a second before his little hans start patting my chest, searching for something in his school bag.

“What do you have there?”

“Amira’s birthday. She gave me invite.”

I look at him. Then at the invitation in his tiny grip. There’s no way in hell anyone in the Lion Pride Pack would send us an invitation. And definitely not through their little daughter. Which means… little Amira picked this up herself and gave it to

him.

“Daddy, am I going?” Milo flashes his teeth at me brightly. “I wanna wear DJ masks!”

“Son,”

I put my

2/4

hand over

my chin in misery. How do I break it to him with that smile on his rosy cheek?

16:57 Sat, Apr 11 M

Chapter 39

“Son, I don’t think they would want you to come.”

I watch his little face crumple right in front of me. Lips shaking Eyes trembling. Tears threatening to spill-

“My boy-”

“But. But. But. But.”

“Milo.”

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He starts crying. Milo’s face soaks in those tears I hate seeing, especially because I know how much he wants this. I reach for him but he turns his back to me, chubby arms

folding stubbornly as he continues sobbing into his own chest.

“I only left you for a second and you’re crying!” Elena storms into my office but she stops when she realizes I’m here. “Oh.”

“What’s going on?”

“An invitation card for Amira’s birthday party. I think she snuck from her mom-” I examine it closer, reading the carefully written name in pink and gold.

Elena scoffs, crossing her arms as she looks at Milo who is still crying. “No way in hell you’re going there!”

“I’ve told you to stop speaking to my son like that.” My voice is calm only because I don’t want Milo seeing us fight. But his crying intensifies at her words, and that’s when I decide. He might go after all.

“Milo, that’s enough. I’ll take you there.” I wipe his face and settle him on my leg while Elena stares at me with increasing fury.

“You are kidding right now.”

“You’re making him cry more.” I warn her, and she storms out.

Milo lifts his head from my chest. I wipe his face again. “You’ll go You’ll go. Stop crying now, hmm?”

“Amira is

my

friend.”

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